Tracey Cole

Time for Spring gardening!

September is the start of Spring, and it can be quite a short season, owing to the temperature rising quickly so it’s a busy time for gardeners, both in the vegetable plot and garden

Don’t be tempted to cut back the leaves of daffodils and narcissus after they have finished flowering. Allowing the leaves to die back naturally provides nourishment to the bulb for next year’s flowers.

Prune back Spring-flowering shrubs as soon as they have finished flowering.Check pots for plants that have roots growing out of the drainage holes. They have outgrown the container and will be rootbound. Repot them in a larger container with fresh compost, and a good fertiliser. Water well and they’ll be happy!

New trees, shrubs and perennials can be planted now. For trees try Paperback Acacia, Pompom and Fever trees which are colourful and attract wildlife. Shrubs and perennials can include Clivias (Bush lily) which will thrive in shade, is indigenous and water-wise, Salvias, Perlargoniums, Felicias, Argyrantheums, Lavender, South African Daisy, Weigela, Mexican Orange Blossom (Choisya), Deutzias, Philadelphus and Delphiniums. Remember, before you do any new planting, to prepare your soil with compost and fertiliser.
Climbers can also be planted in September. Jasmine and Clematis left to ramble over trellis and pergolas will look gorgeous in Summer!

Plant some favourite herbs, either in pots, a herb garden or randomly in your borders. Borage, Coriander, Mint, Fennel, Basil, Origanum, Chervil and Rosemary can all be planted now.
In the vegetable plot plant Beans, Swiss Chard, Sweetcorn, Carrots, Radish and Beetroot.

Weeds put on a growth spurt in Spring so keep weeding and also check for slugs and snails who love to munch your newly planted seedlings!

More advice and articles :

We at village gardens have a knowledge of all of your local edible plants here in South Africa. We can happily plant up your garden with edibles of all varieties from Mediterranean herbs and local indigenous edibles. We are surrounded by such stunning hardy indigenous plants, let’s get back to nature and have our own garden of local goodness.